| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.36 |
| Liaison | Allison Maxted |
| Submission Date | Feb. 17, 2022 |
Mohawk College
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Nicolai
Strabac Sustainable Programs and Services Coordinator Sustainability Office/Facilities Services |
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Mohawk College has carried out a number of initiatives with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while expanding our buildings and facilities.
On our main campus, we have replaced an existing natural gas-fired boiler with an electric boiler and upgraded two natural gas-powered boiler units. The electric boiler came online at the end of the 2019 calendar year. Between CY2019 and CY2020, Mohawk College reduced natural gas consumption by 564,860 cubic metres.
In addition, we have installed 3,296 solar panels throughout the main campus, enough to power 130 homes. As well, we have installed a trailer-sized battery storage system, capable of powering up to 1000 homes, that allows the college to reduce its draw on Ontario’s electricity grid at times of excessive demand.
Recently, Mohawk College’s newest building, The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation, was recertified for the third consecutive year for Zero Carbon Building – Performance by the Canada Green Building Council. The Joyce Centre became Canada’s first zero carbon dually certified building in 2020, after receiving Zero Carbon Building – Design certification in 2018. The Joyce Centre has exemplified sustainable building operation for students, employees, community and industry partners.
Mohawk's Fleet Management Policy explicitly calls for procurement of low-emission or high fuel efficiency vehicles, with a strong preference for battery electric vehicles. Since the policy was revised in 2019, the proportion of fleet vehicles that are battery-electric or hybrid has increased by 153%. We also offer 16 electric vehicle charging stations with free charging for visitors to our campuses.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Buildings
Energy
Website URL where more information about the accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Name of a second highlighted sustainability program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Mohawk College is a nationally recognized leader in applied research, ranking as one of the top ten colleges for research in Canada.
IDEAWORKS, the College’s Applied Research Division works with industry and community partners to help them solve their research challenges.
As part of its ongoing research activities, Mohawk is making progress towards advancing a significant number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The college also has created targeted initiatives that directly support Goal 13, Climate Action.
These initiatives include:
• A dedicated Research Chair in Sustainable Building Technologies
Our Research Chair for Sustainable Building Technologies has joined forces with a number of partners to lead applied research projects focused on climate action in the community. For example, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the development of an applied research project, Cleaner Air for Schools, to provide beneficial solutions to provide greater efficiency and better air quality in elementary schools throughout Ontario. This program was recognized with a 1022 Clean 50 Top Project Award.
• A nationally recognized Energy & Power Innovation Centre (EPIC)
The federal government has made a multi-million dollar investment in Mohawk College’s Energy & Power Innovation Centre, allowing it to provide expanded support to Canadian manufactuers who want to address energy and other resource challenges. EPIC helps companies who would like to adopt energy technologies that can reduce operating costs throughout the manufacturing process and/or de-risk the implementation of new technologies.
•Canada’s only Centre for Climate Change Management (CCCM)
The CCCM helps regions transition to a low-carbon economy by partnering with municipal, industry and community partners to catalyze climate change interventions. Through the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College (CCCM), we are leading a residential energy retrofitting program for the City of Burlington, Ontario, and are guiding the funding application for a similar program in the City of Hamilton, where our college is located.
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Public Engagement
Air & Climate
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Name of a third highlighted program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Mohawk College has led the creation and administration of a pan-Canadian coalition of colleges, cégeps, institutes and polytechnics leading a climate-focused economic recovery – Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery. The coalition is collectively committed to advancing a sustainable, resilient economic recovery for Canada through workforce training, applied research and community leadership.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Coordination & Planning
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.